travel guide: charleston, s.c.

I like to say that I leave a little piece of my heart everywhere I travel, and that is definitely true of Charleston, y’all!

This summer, Connor and I traveled to South Carolina for a family wedding, and we immediately fell in love with Charleston! We decided to stay a couple of extra days after the wedding so we could explore this southern gem, and from some of the tastiest foods to the liveliest night life, Charleston certainly didn’t disappoint! Read on for some of my recommendations for a charming weekend getaway!

Where to Stay:King 583: Located on King Street, King 583 is a suite-style boutique hotel that is never more than a few steps away from a good meal, a cool drink or a strong cup of coffee. The rooms are clean, spacious and are equipped with a kitchen and fireplace. What more could you ask for?

Courtyard Charleston Waterfront by Marriott: Located near the French Quarter, this Marriott is a quick ride away from downtown Charleston. This hotel has greatwaterfront views, a pool and a nice outdoor space to enjoy a late night snack while reminiscing about the day’s adventures.

Where to Eat:Toast: The food at Toast was so good, we went back twice! If you have a sweet tooth, try the stuffed French toast, but if you’re more of a savory foodie, the Eggs Meeting Street option is the way to go!Another Broken Egg: This was a great breakfast spot to pop into while walking around downtown! The infused mimosas are a must!Blossom: This restaurant is a short walk away from Rainbow Row. The blue crab ravioli at Blossom was amazing, and the drink menu was full of great options.Hall’s Chophouse: Conveniently located on King Street, this is a Charleston-must for all steak lovers. With a wide variety of steak options, full-sized sides for the table and delicious desserts to top off the evening, you cannot ask for much more! I highly recommend making reservations before you go!Indaco: Located on King Street, this restaurant offers a rustic environment and great Italian meals. Try the Corn Mezzaluna for a great twist on the classic ravioli dish!Stars: Connor and I popped in here on our way home from dinner, and we stumbled upon a cute rooftop bar with fun drinks like frozen bellinis! I recommend getting there early if you want a table, but even on a Friday night, there was plenty of room to stand comfortably while taking in some downtown views!

Eggs Meeting Street from Toast

Infused mimosas from Another Broken Egg

A nice drink to end the night at Blossom

Where to Grab a Sweet Treat:Jeni’s Ice Cream: This is the only ice cream shop I have ever been to that offers a flight of ice cream: three half scoops of whichever flavors you would like, plus a piece of a waffle cone! This was my personal heaven. The ice cream here is packed with flavor – some of my favorites were frosé sorbet, cream puff and darkest chocolate. Jeni’s was probably the spot we frequented most on this trip!Carmella’s Café and Dessert Bar: If you have a sweet tooth, you must try Carmella’s! The desserts here looked so good, that it was hard to choose just one! We settled on the coconut raspberry cake and the tiramisu (one guess who picked the mini cake…and finished it later that night…). Not only does Carmella’s offer desserts, but it also offers a full bar and specialty cocktails!

What to Do:

Boone Hall Plantation: America’s most photographed plantation is bursting with history and picturesque views. Upon entering the plantation, you will drive through the Avenue of Oaks, a beautiful path of oak trees that John Boone, the original owner of the plantation, started planting when he lived there. Once on the grounds, you will see that nine of the 27 slave cabins that were present on the property are still standing today. All nine have been turned into exhibits to educate visitors about the lifestyle of the slaves who once lived there. After exploring the cabins, head over to the mansion for a tour. Hint: you may recognize the mansion from The Notebook – it served as Allie’s family’s summer home. End the day with a walk around the gardens, and a wagon tour of the property.Rainbow Row: This is Charleston’s famous line of pastel-colored row houses. Located right near The Battery, it’s the perfect place to stop after walking along the water and learning about Charleston’s history!

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row

Historic Charleston City Market: This market extends four blocks and is full of vendors selling products. There are so many things to see and purchase, plus there are plenty of other shops and food places to pop into along the way!Second Sunday: If you happen to be on Charleston on the second Sunday of the month, then you are in for a treat! King Street shuts down so people can walk through the street freely. All shops are open and musicians and other artists line the streets, providing entertainment for all those exploring downtown! Maybe you will even find Charleston Max enjoying a mid-day treat!

Charleston City Market

Charleston Max!

We had an amazing time in Charleston, and we cannot wait to go back and explore more of this beautiful city! I recommend you walk as much as possible while you are there, so you do not miss out on any of the southern charm that this city has to offer!